With some wondering if this is just “same faces, new platform,” the ADC coalition’s rise has spurred discussions over whether Nigerians can trust this new partnership. Some coalitions have failed because of underlying conflicts and mistrust, but history has proven that similar ones, like the APC’s merger of the CPC, ACN, and ANPP, can succeed. Will it face the same difficulties that have beset earlier coalitions, or can the ADC coalition demonstrate that it is different?
Coalition building has been a typical occurrence in Nigerian politics, with powerful politicians and different political parties joining forces to accomplish shared objectives. The All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed in 2013 as a consequence of a merger of many political parties, including Tinubu’s ACN, former President Buhari’s CPC, ANPP, and a PDP group headed by Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Bukola Saraki. The PDP’s 16-year hegemony came to an end in March 2015 when former President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan, thanks in large part to this coalition.
Three main camps came together to form the All Progressives Congress (APC): Ogbonnaya Onu’s All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which is well-known for its strong regional presence and mobilization efforts; Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which split off from The Buhari Organization (TBO) and was founded in 2006 by Buhari and his political allies; and Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
APC gathered together a wide range of politicians, including as Rauf Aregbesola, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Abubakar Malami SAN, and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. These individuals shaped the policies and direction of the nation and rose to prominence in the Buhari administration. Over time, several of these people have joined other political parties, such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), after leaving the APC.
The PDP’s presidential candidate in the most recent elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has recently formed a new coalition. Among the other prominent politicians in this coalition are former Senate President David Mark, former Governor of Rivers State and former Minister in the Buhari administration Rotimi Amaechi, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and the founding chairman of the APC, John Oyegun. Questions have been raised by Nigerians over this coalition’s intentions beyond seizing power.
Everyone is wondering if the current ADC coalition is any different from the 2014 APC coalition. Could you trust it? Instead of being a sincere attempt at governance, many believe that it is just another illusion as long as the same faces are involved. There are worries that this alliance would be more interested in seizing power than in resolving the country’s issues.
Their formation context is one of the main distinctions between the ADC coalition today and the APC coalition in 2014. After the PDP government was seen to have failed, the APC coalition was established to challenge the party’s hold on power. But, with the APC now in power and dealing with its own set of problems, the ADC coalition is being built in a separate arena.
The makeup of the coalitions is another area of distinction. ADC members seem to be mostly former members of the APC or other parties, whereas the APC alliance brought together a varied set of lawmakers. This has made people wonder if the coalition is indeed dedicated to change or if they are just bringing together old acquaintances.
The APC has encountered many difficulties since assuming office, but it has succeeded in overthrowing PDP dominance. Some of its important figures have left the party due to internal strife. It is still unclear if the ADC coalition can accomplish its goals and offer a viable substitute for the APC.
When assessing the ADC coalition’s credibility, Nigerians must consider the coalition’s programs and dedication to government rather than just the individuals participating. Will it put Nigerians’ needs first, or will it be motivated by self-interest? It will only be known in time.
New leadership and a new approach to governing are needed, and the formation of the ADC alliance has spurred national discussion on the subject. People in Nigeria are keen to see if this coalition can fulfill its commitments and offer a brighter future for the nation.
The ability of the ADC alliance to establish a rapport with Nigerians and show a sincere interest in resolving the country’s issues would ultimately determine its level of success. It could gain the trust of Nigerians and offer a strong substitute for the APC if it can accomplish this. But if it falls short, it might be dismissed as just another delusion, and Nigerians might still have to endure bad leadership.
Addressing urgent national concerns including social welfare, economic growth, and climate change was the goal of the 2018 grand coalition between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany. This alliance ensured stability and advancement in the nation by uniting two powerful parties with disparate beliefs to cooperate toward shared objectives. Through cooperative government, they put into effect laws that improved healthcare systems and increased the generation of renewable energy, among other initiatives that benefited the general populace.
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In India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in the forefront of economic reforms and development initiatives under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alliance. In addition to implementing measures that support social welfare, infrastructural development, and economic progress, the NDA has maintained a stable government by uniting several regional parties. The coalition’s emphasis on community involvement and inclusive growth has aided in tackling some of the most important issues facing the nation, such inequality and poverty.
Lessons can be learned by the ADC alliance in Nigeria by emphasizing democracy and community involvement. The coalition needs to go beyond press releases and show a sincere commitment to giving the people back control if it hopes to win back the confidence of the general public. Ensuring decentralized and participatory decision-making procedures, as well as putting policies in place that support accountability, transparency, and inclusivity, can help achieve this.
Following the apparent shortcomings of the APC, Nigerians may be wary of putting their trust in another coalition, like the ADC, as they have witnessed the same individuals and interests control both parties. Because of this, people no longer have faith in these politicians’ capacity to bring about significant change. Due to dissatisfaction caused by the APC’s failure to deliver on its pledges and handle urgent problems including economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption, Nigerians are cautious about joining another coalition that may make promises of change but fall short. The ADC alliance must show a distinct departure from the past, a sincere dedication to accountability, transparency, and the well-being of the Nigerian people, as well as a readiness to put the demands of the general populace ahead of the interests of the ruling class, in order to win trust.
The ADC coalition looks to be a gathering of well-known figures from different parties, including former APC members, who may be more interested in seizing power due to a combination of ideological, personal, and political interests. In contrast, the APC was founded as a merger of opposition parties to challenge the PDP’s hold on power, motivated by a desire for change and a need for a new alternative. This divergence in motives could influence how they approach governance and policymaking.
Notable is also the contrast in how they were formed: the APC was established with a clear set of objectives and organized leadership after a formal merger of multiple organizations, including the ACN, CPC, and ANPP. However, it appears that the ADC coalition is a loose coalition of people from several parties who are bound together by the desire to overthrow the incumbent government, while they may be split along ideological, interest, and agenda lines. This disparity could affect their capacity to make decisions, stay cohesive, and fulfill commitments.
As the recently adopted ADC continues to fight an uncured political infection, other parties such as the PDP, NNPP, Labour Party, and SDP are negotiating internal dynamics. Its internal issues are further complicated by a recent court lawsuit that called on some factions within the party to remove its temporary executives.
The president has insisted that, as a democrat, he is powerless to step in and resolve the problems facing opposition parties, despite the opposition parties’ persistent accusations that the APC-led government has infiltrated their ranks. Additionally, he has denied plans to make Nigeria a one-party state, reaffirming his dedication to democratic ideals and letting each party handle its own problems on its own.
Many Nigerians worry that the ADC coalition would be “same faces, different platforms,” which makes them wonder if they can trust it. Some are concerned that the entry of well-known individuals from other parties into the ADC may be a case of old wine in new bottles rather than a sincere attempt to effect change. The credibility of the party and its capacity to garner sincere support from Nigerians looking for significant alternatives may be impacted by this view.
The success of the ADC depends on putting unity and group purpose ahead of individual interests. The alliance can leverage its varied talents and experiences to create a powerful, unified movement that can oppose the ruling party and bring about constructive change by putting aside individual aspirations and cooperating to achieve a shared objective. The alliance faces the possibility of disintegration and collapse if individual interests take precedence, which would compromise its capacity to keep its commitments to the Nigerian people.
The public is skeptical of another alliance of interests unless they witness concrete proof that power is being returned to them. A new politics that puts the needs and goals of the people ahead of the interests of the elite must be established by the ADC. The coalition has a challenging task ahead of it, but it also has a chance to influence Nigeria’s future and give the nation a new course. One thing is for sure: Nigerians are keeping a careful eye on it, regardless of whether it succeeds or fails.
